Randwick City councillors Kathy Neilson and Tony Bowen, and NSW Greens MP Mehreen Faruqi stood alongside residents on the street after work to cut down the tree began about 6.30pm.

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Ms Neilson, who was involved in discussions between Randwick City Council, the University of NSW and Transport for NSW, had been under the impression that Transport for NSW was considering a reroute of the light rail line to save the tree.

Arborists start cutting down a beloved Moreton Bay fig tree in Randwick, known locally as the "Tree of Knowledge".

"I can't believe it," Ms Neilson said. "The understanding was that the trees would be safe until November.

"Here we are on a Sunday night, it's school holidays, the university is on holiday, the tree is coming down and there's no way to stop it."

Early on Monday, the tree remained standing, but a number of branches had been cut off. It was not immediately clear whether work would continue on Monday.

Transport for NSW has been contacted for comment.

On Monday morning, it was clear a number of branches had been lopped off.Credit:Peter Rae

Randwick resident Greg Vankuyk said he saw the fences being erected when he drove by about 4pm, and asked the workers what was happening.

"They said it was roadwork," Mr Vankuyk said.

"The whole thing will be gone by morning and it's just unbelievable": Randwick City councillor Kathy Neilson said.

"I got a ring at 7pm from a friend saying they were cutting the tree down.

"There could be wildlife in the hollows of the trees but we can't see because they've got these high fences. It's a magnificent tree and what's gone on is absolutely disgusting."

The tree remained standing on Monday morning, but branches had been cut off.Credit:Peter Rae